Product Description

Hope Davis, Denis Leary. A man wakes up in a hospital as a psychiatric patient and struggles to separate reality from dreams in which he was cryogenically frozen and used as a pawn for a tissue-regeneration experiment. Suddenly he begins to suspect that his female psychiatrist is somehow involved. 2001/color/112 min/R/widescreen.

Most helpful customer reviews

Dennis Leary is known for his high-speed humorous rants. I was hoping for THAT Dennis Leary.Science Fiction is known for special effects. Effects... SOME kinda effects.Neither was in this film.Oh, sure, Dennis Leary proved he could do a 90 minute soliloquoy (Did I spell that right ? *grin*) with fair impact. Kudos, Dennis.Beyond that, though, I can't see what others are raving about. The plot-twist was unexpected, but I kept waiting for things that didn't come: more evidence of chemistry between the doctor and Dennis, and SOME evidence of special effects.If you buy this DVD, be prepared for what it delivers: Good acting by one guy and his lesser-light costar, and a good plot twist at the end.Other elements you'd expect-- action, high humor, high tension, SF effects, technology of the future-- are not evident. This is a no-action drama with a plot twist.

Actually this was well acted all around. But Dennis really proved himself here.Better then his role in Lake Boat and I really liked that. I have both these films in my library now.A word of caution to most of you. There is no action in this film. 80% of the film takes place in one room. But having said that, this is a really good film. That has a well written, interesting story, that is enhanced by the performances of the two leads.The story revolves around Dennis's character who wakes up in very sterile hospital setting, not knowing why he is there, why he can't leave, where he is in time, and is his life really at risk.Thanks Dennis another good film. For me I take your name in the cast as an indicator that I need to see the film.

It is low budget, and borderline "sci-fi". BUT, it's also got an incredible story, excellent acting and intangible qualities that may make you want to cry in the end. With that said, it's not a chick-flick either (it's just that, I think I'm in love with Hope Davis after seeing this). And Leary totally saved the movie from obscurity for me. He is cast perfectly for this role. I won't tell any details, the less you know the better. Not for everyone, but if you like drama, sci-fi, and don't mind a bit of a slow start, you'll be glad you saw this movie. I can't wait to watch it again.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

Amazon.com:
19 reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful

Leary's, Davis's and Scott's best workAug. 6 2002

By
carol irvin
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: DVD

Leary's, Davis's and Scott's best work, bar none. The screenwriter, Bruce McIntosh, also did a brilliant job. I've seen Leary miscast in so many films that it was wonderful finally seeing him in one that showed all facets of his talent. He should not be in light, frothy romantic comedies, which he's done, and this certainly is not a light, frothy, romantic comedy. I'm not even sure he should be in gangster films and I've seen him in several of those (ok at best). He and Hope Davis are great together here and come together better as a couple than he has come together with any other actress in a film. I've seen him in romance vehicles with other actresses, like Sandra Bullock, that were just dismal. He needs to do biting satire like he did in "The Ref" or outright layered, nuanced drama, like he does here. (I also loved his standup comedy act.)

Leary's character, Bill, wakes up from a coma in a psychiatric hospital with delusions that he is about to be executed by some futuristic society which has unfrozen him from the past. However, under Hope Davis's care as Ann, his psychiatrist, he starts remembering trauma from his pre-coma life, including the death of his father, a break up with his fiance, and a drunken binge while driving. He starts to recover from his mental breakdown yet his delusions don't entirely disappear, surprisingly enough. Or are they delusions? Great blues music throughout. I'd heard nothing about this film and tried it out simply based on what I read on the box and Leary's, Scott's and Davis's involvement. I wasn't expecting a perfect 10 of a film but I sure got it! Hubby absolutely loved it too.

Visit my blog with link given on my profile page here or use this phonetically given URL (livingasseniors dot blogspot dot com). Friday's entry will always be weekend entertainment recs from my 5 star Amazon reviews in film, tv, books and music. These are very heavy on buried treasures and hidden gems. My blogspot is published on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

Slow start, powerful developmentSept. 4 2004

By
LGwriter
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: DVD

What at first looks to be a relatively standard drama of a patient in a mental institution turns out to be something far removed from that in this intriguing science fiction film. And make no mistake, this IS science fiction. Once the basic premise is revealed, it is crystal clear that what is really going on here challenges the main character and the viewer as well in their moral priorities.

The main character, Tyler, is played by Dennis Leary, who turns in a solid performance as someone whose paranoid fantasies of his current situation, ostensibly in said mental institution, fuse with his memories of a lost love from years before. His doctor is Hope Davis, here proving her versatility as, at first, a removed scientist, then gradually warming to her subject.

The doctor's sister is also a patient, but one confined because of a physical illness, not for reasons of mental deterioration. This is a key element in the puzzle of this film as it unravels, as is the ice-cold director of the institution and the complete geographical isolation of the institution itself.

As Tyler's memories become clearer, he simultaneously moves closer to the doctor emotionally. This very intelligent plot device is critical in the development of the story. The beginning is a bit slow, because of what, as mentioned, appears to be a fairly routine scenario. But stick around; it gets MUCH better.

A really well thought out script and fine acting make this a highly recommended, literate, science fiction film.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

I can't get it out of my headOct. 25 2002

By
doppelganger
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: DVD
Verified Purchase

It is low budget, and borderline "sci-fi". BUT, it's also got an incredible story, excellent acting and intangible qualities that may make you want to cry in the end. With that said, it's not a chick-flick either (it's just that, I think I'm in love with Hope Davis after seeing this). And Leary totally saved the movie from obscurity for me. He is cast perfectly for this role. I won't tell any details, the less you know the better. Not for everyone, but if you like drama, sci-fi, and don't mind a bit of a slow start, you'll be glad you saw this movie. I can't wait to watch it again.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful

Twilightzone-esqueAug. 8 2004

By
Allison Fox
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: DVD

"Final" was intriguing enough to keep me interested the entire time. I wanted to give it like 3 and a half stars because it's not quite a 4 star movie, but better than a 3 star movie. There is a great twist in the film (which I love) but the very end was a bit predictable. However, it didn't ruin the movie for me. I'm not sure I would classify this as sci-fi. It's more of a mystery/semi-thriller. It reminded me of the old Twilight Zones a little or The Outer Limits tv show a lot. If you are looking for spaceships, robots, high tech machines ... this movie doesn't have any of that. But it does have some pretty good acting, an interesting plot and a winding story line that will keep you guessing til the very end. There are a lot of bad movies out there today... I wouldn't consider this one of them.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

Dennis Leary was Great!!!April 25 2004

By
Robert
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: DVD
Verified Purchase

Actually this was well acted all around. But Dennis really proved himself here.Better then his role in Lake Boat and I really liked that. I have both these films in my library now.A word of caution to most of you. There is no action in this film. 80% of the film takes place in one room. But having said that, this is a really good film. That has a well written, interesting story, that is enhanced by the performances of the two leads.The story revolves around Dennis's character who wakes up in very sterile hospital setting, not knowing why he is there, why he can't leave, where he is in time, and is his life really at risk.Thanks Dennis another good film. For me I take your name in the cast as an indicator that I need to see the film.